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Online gaming players have repeatedly urged the government and the GST Council to levy 18% GST on their segment instead of 28% that was recommended by the Group of Ministers (GoM) Gaming 

Industry Dismayed by GST Council’s Decision to Impose 28% Tax on Online Gaming

Adriana Marais, , ,

The 50th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has decided to impose a 28% GST on the entire face value of online gaming. However, the gaming community, who had been anticipating this decision, views it as a disadvantage. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated at a press conference that online gaming, horse racing and casinos will be taxed at 28 percent. There will be some changes in the GST Act to include online gaming, he added. However, Roland Landers, CEO of The All India Gaming Federation, stated that…

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman releases a stamp during the 50th meeting of the GST Council, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Shrikant Singh) Gaming 

GST Council Imposes 28% Tax on Revenue of Online Gaming Companies

Adriana Marais, ,

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, led by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has announced that online gaming companies will now be subject to a 28% indirect tax on their turnover. This decision was made during the council’s 50th meeting, where state finance ministers also discussed the taxation of casinos, horse racing, and online gaming. It has previously been unable to decide whether to impose the 28% GST on the face value of bets, gross gaming revenue or just platform fees. West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said, “The…

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The companies may close the deal in the coming days, despite opposition from UK and US regulators. Gaming 

Judge Denies FTC’s Request to Block Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision

Adriana Marais, , ,

Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley has denied the Federal Trade Commission’s plea for a preliminary injunction to halt Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. In the event that the injunction was granted, both Microsoft and Activision had expressed their intention to withdraw from the significant merger. “This court’s responsibility in this case is narrow. It is to decide whether the merger should be halted — perhaps even terminated — despite these current circumstances, pending resolution of the FTC’s administrative action,” Corley wrote in the decision. “For the reasons explained,…

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The announcement comes after Microsoft beat back the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction against the deal. Gaming 

Microsoft and UK Regulators Enter Talks to Resolve Dispute Over Activision Acquisition

Adriana Marais, , , ,

The Federal Trade Commission’s request for a preliminary injunction to halt Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard was denied by a US federal judge. However, Microsoft and the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have decided to pause their legal dispute and engage in negotiations to potentially reach a compromise that would enable the deal to proceed. “Following today’s court decision in the US, our focus now turns back to the UK. While we ultimately disagree with the CMA’s concerns, we are considering how the deal could be…

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Federal judge declines to block Microsoft's $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard, stating that regulators failed to show serious harm to competition Gaming 

US Court Approves Microsoft-Activision USD 69 Billion Agreement

Adriana Marais, , ,

Microsoft has secured a significant win as a federal judge rejects attempts to halt its planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. Regulators argued that the deal would negatively impact competition. U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said in her ruling that the merger merited review and noted that it could be the largest in the history of the technology industry. But federal regulators couldn’t show how it would cause serious harm, and likely wouldn’t if they put it to a full test, he wrote. The Federal Trade Commission,…

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They say AEGIS-CWA is the 'largest multi-department union of organized workers in the entire gaming industry.' Gaming 

Employees of Sega of America Vote to Form Union

Sanjay Patil

Sega of America employees have made the decision to form a union. In a recent election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board, the workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of their unit, known as the Allied Employees Guild Improving Sega (AEGIS-CWA), with a vote of 91-26. Although there were 19 challenged ballots and three void ones, the group has successfully organized and is now officially affiliated with the Communication Workers of America. The unit employs more than 200 employees in various departments of the company, including brand marketing, games as…

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The game comes from a new studio, Cliffhanger Games. Gaming 

EA Developing Single-Player Video Game Based on Black Panther

Nitin Misra, ,

Marvel and Electronic Arts have announced their collaboration on a second game, as part of their ongoing partnership. The upcoming game, centered around the iconic superhero Black Panther, is being developed by a newly established Electronic Arts studio named Cliffhanger Games, based in Seattle. The focus of the game will be on delivering an immersive single-player experience. It’s an action-adventure game with a third-person perspective, which suggests it has some similarities to games like Insomniac’s Spider-Man games. According to Marvel, Cliffhanger aims to “build an expansive and reactive world that…

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He also faces fines of more than $1.1 million. Gaming 

Yuji Naka Receives Suspended Sentence for Insider Trading Violation

Nitin Misra

Yuji Naka is unlikely to be imprisoned for his involvement in insider trading, according to recent reports. A Tokyo judge named Madoka Hiruta has instead imposed a suspended prison sentence of 2.5 years on the co-creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, which will be deferred for four years. Additionally, Naka has been ordered to pay two fines totaling $1.1 million and $14,000 respectively. Judge Hiruta stated that Naka’s actions have undermined the integrity and reliability of the stock market, causing damage to investors’ confidence. Naka pleaded guilty in March to violating…

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Yanni Ouahioune, 22, will serve three years of community service. Gaming 

Sentenced Player Receives Punishment for Swatting Ubisoft Montreal’s Offices Over ‘Rainbow Six Siege’ Dispute

Adarsh V.K,

Yanni Ouahioune, a dissatisfied player of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, has been given a three-year community service sentence after making a false emergency call to Ubisoft’s Montreal office. The Montreal Gazette reported that the 22-year-old received this sentence in Paris on Monday for reporting a fictitious hostage situation to authorities in November 2020. According to police, Ouahioune called the scam because he was angry that he had been banned multiple times from Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. In response to the bogus call, a heavily armed police team surrounded…

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This comes after a price hike for Game Pass in most countries. Gaming 

New Users Can Take Advantage of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate $1 Offer Again

Sanjay Patil, , ,

Microsoft is considering increasing the cost of Xbox subscriptions in many countries, but it is introducing an enticing offer for new users. The company is reintroducing a promotion that allows individuals to enjoy the first month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just $1. Additionally, the PC Game Pass is also available at a discounted rate of $1. Although the regular monthly fees will apply thereafter ($17 for Ultimate on console, $11 for PC), the initial price reduction enables users to explore the services without fully committing. Xbox Game Pass…

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Rest, dear one, and let Snorlax drain your strength. Gaming 

‘Pokémon Sleep’ to Launch This Month with Reveal of ‘Gameplay’ Trailer

Nitin Misra,

After a long wait of four years since its announcement, Pokémon Sleep, following the success of Pokémon Go, is finally making progress. Initially, many believed that this peculiar sleep tracking app would never see the light of day, but now a new trailer showcasing its gameplay has been released, along with an estimated release date in late July. We italicized playing because this is not a game. It’s a sleep tracking app with Pokémon protection. The app pairs you with snooze-loving Snorlax. You’ll strengthen your bond with the gigantic treasure…

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"We have been trying to figure out what laser eyes are." Gaming 

Simogo Sheds Light on the Enigma of ‘Lorelei and the Laser Eyes’

Adriana Marais, ,

Typically, the process of creating a game starts with a mechanic. Developers often have a specific input method or a compelling storyline that they want to explore in an interactive environment. The game usually revolves around a central theme, based on a genre such as “first-person shooter” or “isometric roguelike.” As the development progresses, the game’s specific details and proper nouns gradually take shape within this framework. In the case of Lorelei and Laser Eyes, Simogo started as a name. “There wasn’t a single a-ha moment,” Simogo founder Simon Flesser…

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Dine like it's 2013. Gaming 

Angry Birds Cafe to Open in New York City

Nitin Misra, , ,

To give you an idea of Angry Birds’ age, it was released on iOS, webOS, and a platform called Maemo 5 before it became available on Android, as stated in our 2010 review. Surprisingly, it is still thriving after more than 13 years, and now developer Rovio is being acquired by Sega for approximately $776 million. Additionally, Rovio is set to open the first Angry Birds-themed restaurant, named “iSwii by Angry Birds,” on Friday (July 8th). This restaurant will be situated in the Food Court at Tangram’s new mall in…

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'GTA V' is also coming back for Xbox and the cloud. Gaming 

Xbox Game Pass to Feature Capcom’s ‘Exoprimal’

Sanjay Patil, ,

If you have an Xbox Game Pass subscription, you’ll have a variety of great options for summer gaming. Microsoft recently announced that Exoprimal, Capcom’s dinosaur shooter, will be accessible to Game Pass members on Xbox, PC, and the cloud starting from July 14th. If you were unsure about purchasing this PvE/PvP game without trying it first or had doubts about the beta version, you won’t necessarily need to worry anymore. Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V is also making its third appearance on Game Pass, albeit only for Xbox and streaming…

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Prior rulings could reduce its App Store profits. Gaming 

Apple Appeals to Supreme Court in Epic Games Dispute

Adriana Marais, , , ,

According to Reuters, Apple is making a final attempt to secure a portion of in-app sales by requesting the Supreme Court to review Epic Games’ anti-trust case. Two previous court rulings have mandated that Apple abandon its regulations that prohibit apps from incorporating their own payment alternatives, a policy that has been beneficial for Apple’s financial performance. The battle began in 2020 when Epic released a new Fortnite update that allowed players to purchase digital coins through a direct payment feature. The move violated Apple’s policy requiring all iOS games…

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Several games were recently rejected for including AI-generated content. Gaming 

Valve Refuses to Release Games Containing AI Assets Violating Copyright Laws

Febin Mathew, , ,

Valve has responded to recent reports suggesting that they were rejecting games featuring AI-generated art and content. In a statement to IGN, Valve spokesperson Kaci Aitchison Boyle clarified that the company is not attempting to discourage the use of AI on their platform. Aitchison Boyle explained that the confusion arose from Valve’s efforts to incorporate AI technology into their existing review process, which is influenced by current copyright laws. “Our priority, as always, is to try to ship as many titles as we can,” said Aitchison Boyle. “We welcome and…

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AKM vs M416: Comparing top assault rifles in BGMI. (BGMI) Gaming 

Comparing the BGMI AKM and M416 Assault Rifles: Which is Superior?

Adriana Marais,

When it comes to choosing between the AKM and the M416 in Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), players frequently encounter a difficult decision. These two assault rifles possess distinct qualities that make them highly desirable, adding to the complexity of the choice during intense combat situations. To gain a better understanding of the AKM and the M416, let’s delve into their statistics, benefits, and drawbacks. AKM: Unleashing raw power The AKM is a 7.62 mm assault rifle. It stands out with a high damage ratio, making it a powerful force among…

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It pairs the original sensor with an iPhone lens. Gaming 

This miniature Game Boy camera, created by a fan, is the size of a game cartridge!

Febin Mathew, , ,

The Game Boy Camera, loved by fans of low-quality photography, is known for its large size that sticks out from the retro console like a creepy giant eyeball. However, Christopher Graves, a modder and devoted fan, has created his own version called the Game Boy Mini Camera. As reported by Gizmodo, Graves successfully reduced the size of the camera to that of a Game Boy cartridge, eliminating the need for any protrusion. Graves used a custom board, the original camera sensor, a memory map controller, and some capacitors to complete…

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The company said in 2022 its stance had ‘relaxed a little,’ but a PS5 version hasn’t yet materialized. Gaming 

Sony Refuses to Allow ‘Roblox’ on PlayStation Citing Child Protection Issues

Sanjay Patil, ,

Sony has prevented Roblox from being accessible on PlayStation consoles due to concerns about inappropriate content being accessible to children. This information was revealed in a document from 2022, which was initially reported by Axios and discovered during the Microsoft trial conducted by the FTC. Nonetheless, Sony Interactive Entertainment President and CEO Jim Ryan stated that the company’s position was becoming more lenient, indicating the possibility of a future PlayStation version for the immensely popular user-generated platform. Ryan explained the decision to divest Roblox early last year to investors. “Historically,…

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This might be as close as fans get to a TV show based on Blizzard's universe. Gaming 

Premiere Date Announced for Overwatch Animated Miniseries

Adriana Marais, ,

Blizzard has been consistently delivering exceptional Overwatch animated shorts throughout the years. These beautifully crafted shorts provide insights into the backgrounds of the characters. However, Blizzard has yet to effectively connect the vast narrative of this universe. In an effort to improve this, the developers have promised to enhance the in-game storytelling, beginning with the sixth season of Overwatch 2, commencing in August. Prior to that, Blizzard will be launching an Overwatch anime. The three-episode miniseries is called Genesis. The title and trailer suggest that it will focus on the…

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